DIRECTV2PC streams HD video from your DVR
By Dave Jeyes
DirecTV has released its new DIRECTV2PC software that allows customers to stream high-definition video recorded on their DVR to any PC on their home network. The software was released to highly expectant customers as a free Beta test using technology created by Cyberlink.
The DirecTV site initially uncovered a page for the product last week, but the link to download DIRECTV2PC was broken. Then sites started announcing the release yesterday, but a lot of people were still experiencing issues with the download link. The link seems to be working now, though you have to start at DirecTV’s page to use it.
The concept of DIRECTV2PC is relatively simple and is similar to the SlingCatcher that we covered back in May. Once you install the software on a PC connected to your home network, the software will be able to play any programs that you’ve recorded on your set-top box.
DIRECTV2PC is built on technology created by Cyberlink for streaming video across separate networks. However the software is limited to streaming within one network and has been customized to mimic the DirecTV DVR menu system, which should make for a smooth learning curve for customers.
The DIRECTV2PC software can serve as an additional television in your house. It makes it so that you can watch recorded programs while your DVR receiver is watching something else or even recording a show.
The software is another example of how the lines between television and the Internet are blurring with respect to entertainment. More people are watching streaming video on a PC or connecting a computer to their home entertainment system to manage their media.
Hopefully the program is fairly easy to use, as the link to DirecTV’s FAQ section for the software leads to a list of general questions about DirecTV’s service and not the software itself. It could be that the company is still working on the official announcement and launch, but why wait?
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on Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008 at 8:31 am
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Stumble It!
October 25th, 2008
If this works any different than sitting down at the tv to which the dvr is connected and playing back a recorded show it will be a fail. And if it takes an IT geek to set it to working (or even a DirecTV tech) it’ll be a fail too.